Turkish side Fenerbahce are nearing the signing of a Premier League defender, but contrary to speculation, it won’t be Newcastle United’s Lloyd Kelly.
Last week, Fenerbahce made a bid for Kelly, which Newcastle promptly rejected. Following this, Fenerbahce vice-president Acun Ilicah publicly confirmed the club’s interest, stating:
“We are in talks for Lloyd Kelly transfer. He’s a player we’re interested in. If we can reach an agreement, we will transfer this player.”
The public nature of the comments irked Newcastle and manager Eddie Howe, who criticized the Turkish club for spreading speculation. Howe clarified, “Whatever rumors you’re hearing are club-driven from Fenerbahce, not from the player. So I want to make that very clear.”
Despite their pursuit, Fenerbahce has shifted their focus elsewhere after failing to reach an agreement for Kelly. Instead, they have reportedly agreed to an £8.5 million deal with Aston Villa for Brazilian defender Diego Carlos. The 31-year-old, previously linked with Newcastle during the January 2022 window, has been with Villa since joining from Sevilla for a reported £26 million.
Carlos has made 58 appearances for Villa and was an influential presence in defense. Now, as he prepares for a new chapter in Turkey, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the move has reached the “here we go” stage. Romano noted, “Diego Carlos to Fenerbahçe, here we go! Deal in place with Aston Villa as the Brazilian defender will fly to Istanbul tonight [Monday, January 20]. Transfer fee expected to be in excess of €10m, with Aston Villa keen on Loïc Badé as his replacement.”
Meanwhile, Kelly’s future remains uncertain. While Fenerbahce’s interest has cooled, Juventus has emerged as a potential suitor. The Serie A giants recently submitted a loan offer for the defender, but Newcastle rejected it. However, reports suggest Juventus may return with a revised proposal.
As the January transfer window heats up, Fenerbahce’s acquisition of Diego Carlos appears to be imminent, while Newcastle faces decisions regarding Kelly’s future amid international interest.